DiNapoli taps Ward, who wrote the book on NYS govt.

Comptroller Tom DiNapoli’s office announced the appointment of Robert Ward as deputy comptroller of Budget & Policy Analysis. Ward had been serving as the deputy director and director of fiscal studies for the Nelson A. Rockefeller Institute of Government at UAlbany. He’s best known to Capitol reporters as the author of“New York State Government,” initially released a decade ago and extensively updated in 2006. He’s been a regular guest on WMHT’s “New York Now.”

“There are few people who know more about the workings of state government than Bob Ward, and I am extremely pleased he has agreed to join my staff,” DiNapoli said in a statement. “New York taxpayers are truly fortunate to have someone with Bob’s knowledge and intellect looking out for their interests.”

A graduate of Syracuse University, Ward served on executive initiatives such as the Commission on Tax Reform and the Commission on Property Tax Relief. His resume also includes reporting for the Knickerbocker News, the Albany paper that was absorbed into the Times Union almost exactly 25 years ago — April 15, 1988.

“In his new position, he will be responsible for analyzing the state budget and state finances, overseeing debt issuances for the state and other public entities, as well as formulating state policy for the Comptroller’s office,” DiNapoli’s office says.